SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets here said last week it will complete six new superstores and as many as 24 store remodelings in the next 18 months.
h included in fiscal 2000 the opening of nine superstores and the completion of six comprehensive remodels.
Since 1995, the company has opened 48 superstores and performed 63 remodels and expansions, according to Robert Weis, the company's chairman.
"For Weis Markets, 2000 was a year of growth, change and transition," said Weis. "Today, we continue to focus on the profitable growth of our company and building lasting value for all of our shareholders."
Weis added that so far in 2001 the company has already opened one superstore in Maryland and has 12 projects under way or in active planning stages.
During the meeting, Weis spoke to shareholders about the company's sales results.
"During the year, our sales increased 2.8% despite a flat sales environment, a slowing economy and the sale of our food-service division, which resulted in a $95 million sales gap. Excluding our food-service division's figures from the year-to-year comparisons, our company's sales results from ongoing operations increased a healthy 8% in 2000," Weis said.
Norm Rich, president of Weis Markets, briefed shareholders on current company projects, which include: completing the installation of a new warehouse and procurement management system, upgrading the company's loyalty marketing program, introducing and expanding self-scan units to 50 stores by the end of the year, and implementing a new scale-management system.
"Today, Weis Markets operates in one of the most competitive and over-stored marketplaces in the country. Our task at Weis Markets is to grow profitably and to increase shareholder value. We are determined to maximize our key assets by building on our reputation for convenience, quality and value. Our company is extremely well-positioned to take on these challenges and continue its sustained growth," said Rich.
Weis also introduced to the shareholders the newest member of the Weis Markets board, Steve Smith, president and chief executive officer of K-VA-T, an 86-store retail operation based in Abingdon, Va.
